This plant is seen in both Western and Eastern Ghats regions. It is a small shrub growing to a height of about two feet. The stem and branches are terete (cylindrical), the plant is mostly glabrous. The leaf arrangement is alternate simple. Leaves have an elliptical shape; tip is pointed; base cuneate. Flowers are pea flower shaped and come in raceme (mostly terminal) of about 20 cm. The stipules are minute and inconspicuous. The petals are white and blue in color. The seed pod is oblong and clawed. This plant was seen in Mannarkkad Ghat road in Palakkad district of Kerala at around 700 msl in the month of November. The plant may be confused with Crotalaria verrucosa which also produces blue flowers. In C verrucosa the stipules are prominent also the leaves are obtuse (rounded) or retuse at apex. Crotalaria heyneana has excellent scope to be introduced as a ornamental plant.
Closely resembling plant Crotalaria verrucosa
